Congratulations to Marrickville Council on its 150th Anniversary Save the GreenWay
MARRICKVILLE HERITAGE SOCIETY Invites members to the launch of
Marrickville: a past worth preserving A collection of local history essays
Saturday 26 November 10.30 am
Herb Greedy Hall, 79 Petersham Road Marrickville
RSVP essential (for catering purposes) Diane 9588 4930 or
Our Next Meeting will be devoted to the launch of Special Council Meeting for 150th
Marrickville: a past worth preserving. Our special guests MHS committee and life members were invited to will be the Authors of the essays and Maria Walsh, attend a Special Council Meeting (chaired by new CEO of RAHS. Light lunch to follow the launch. The Mayor Morris Hanna) at Old Marrickville Town Hall, book is $35 a copy. See page 3 for postal details. 96 Illawarra Road Marrickville on Tuesday 18 October * * * * in recognition of the Sesquicentenary of the proclama- Wednesday 7 December 6.30 pm Marrickville Library tion of Marrickville Council (5 November 1861). together with MHS will host some authors discussing Whilst the proceedings lacked the colour of the 140th their essay/s from Marrickville: a past worth preserving. anniversary meeting when Councillors donned period Coordinator, History Services, Clinton Johnston will dress, they formally acknowledged Council’s 150th introduce authors. Refreshments provided. anniversary and the rich history of Marrickville LGA. * * * * The Business Paper included a brief history of
The book will be on sale on our stall at the Dulwich Marrickville Council. Motions included: 1) that Hill Fair on Sunday 4 December from 10 am. Council lodge a submission to the Expert Panel’s Discussion Paper on Constitutional Recognition for Our Stolen Heritage Lions: story inside Local Government; and 2) commending the Greek Atlas League for ‘the restoration works on the former (from Feb. 1991 newsletter) Marrickville Town Hall’ (see story inside).
A masterstroke on the part of Council to choose the beautifully restored Old Marrickville Town Hall for its Sesquicentennial Council Meeting. Richard Blair
How to Join the Society
Send a cheque or money order made out to Marrickville Heritage Society (address below) with your name/s, address, phone/s and email. Ring Diane 9588 4930 for a brochure and direct deposit details. Concession $12, individual or joint concession $20, household or organisation $28.
FOUNDED 1984 PO BOX 415 MARRICKVILLE NSW 1475 VOLUME 28 NUMBER 5 NOVEMBER 2011 Affiliated with Royal Australian Historical Society & National Trust of Australia (NSW) Our Last Meeting Freda Backes: Lebanese settlement in Australia
It is a valid criticism of many Australian history or heritage or organisations that focus is too much on the history of the dominant Anglo-Celtic majority while neglecting the history of other communities. With Marrickville being such a major cosmopolitan area it is only right that MHS should challenge this perceived bias and give focus to some of these diverse communities. Silas Clifford-Smith, Pamela Stewart, Richard Blair, Ian Phillips, Diane McCarthy, Lorraine Beach and Rosemary At our last meeting on Saturday 22 October Freda Wood at Old Marrickville Town Hall meeting 18 October Backes from the Australian Lebanese Historical (photo: Lisa Marschall) Society (ALHS) gave a fascinating illustrated talk on the history of the Lebanese in this country. Australian- Old Marrickville Town Hall and stolen lions born, Freda had little interest in her cultural heritage until many of the older members of her community Marrickville’s first Town Hall at 96 Illawarra Road began to die. Seeing a tragic loss of heritage she and (listed on the State Heritage Register) is arguably the several others formed the ALHS with the aim of most significant former civic building in the Marrick- preserving the knowledge of Lebanese people in this ville LGA. When built in 1879 this part of Marrickville country. Since formation, the ALHS has undertaken was the town centre with the main local public school many oral histories of senior members in their ranks nearby. It was the fourth oldest town hall in Sydney and and the group has published several works. With became Council headquarters for over 40 years. In 1922 Lebanon not gaining independence until 1943, many when the new town hall opened in Marrickville Road, early migrants to Australia were officially known as the old town hall was sold to the Education Department Syrians or Ottomans or as being from Mount Lebanon. and absorbed into Marrickville Public School. It was part of that school until 1985. Many current residents of The first Lebanese came to Australia in the 1880s and Marrickville attended and recall it with affection. Redfern soon became the centre of the Lebanese community in NSW. Many opened clothing shops or An integral feature of the site were the two lions which found work as hawkers selling fabric and began to sell graced the steps of the old town hall for over 100 years. their wares around greater Sydney and into rural They were stolen in October 1990. Their theft became a areas. Many were successful, such as Freda’s great- cause célèbre attracting newspaper articles and letters to uncle Stanton Melick, an ancestor of our current State the editor, whilst official letters of complaint were sent Governor Professor Marie Bashir. to the Department of Housing (owner), the Premier of NSW and the Heritage Council. They have never been Members happily recalled their memories of Lebanese located (see front page sketch). friends and storekeepers and it was gratifying to see such a large turnout for this talk. Many thanks to our The Department of Housing sold much of the curtilage speaker for such an interesting lecture, to Diane for housing, but in late 1994 the building was leased to McCarthy for inviting Freda, assisted by Paul Convy; the Jessie Street National Women's Library for a pepper- also thanks to Stephanie Clifford-Smith for making a corn rent. After initial fanfare and a launch by local the very fitting dish of Middle Eastern eggplant dip federal member Jeannette McHugh, the Women’s (baba ghanoush) which enhanced the flavour of the Library made tentative efforts to restore the building, meeting in more ways than one. but due to insufficient funds, the project was abandoned Silas Clifford-Smith and the library looked elsewhere.
After years of neglect, the Department of Housing Eat Streets: A culinary adventure through 150 years carried out urgent remedial works in 2005-06 and in of Marrickville Council, which coincides with 2006 the property was sold for $20,000 to Atlas Hall Pty Council’s Sesquicentenary, combines local history and Ltd as Trustee for the Greek Atlas League of NSW. reminiscence with food history and recipes from each Assisted by a grant, the GAL has handsomely conserved decade, though they are not necessarily historically the old town hall and established a cultural and authentic. The book features almost 50 recipes, many community centre, which will store the archives and sourced from the local community, as well as artefacts of the GAL. It has been stated that the hundreds of beautiful food-and-festival related photo- building will be available ‘to the broader community’, graphs, and historical menus, stories and images. It with access to a meeting area and library. It is unclear also reflects Marrickville’s rich multicultural food whether ’broader’ refers to ‘the broader Greek’ commu- heritage and the enormous contribution other cultures nity’ or to ‘the entire’ community. Hopefully the latter have made to our national diet. such that everyone can appreciate the restoration. With text by Elizabeth Heath and foreword by former Having attended the recent sesquicentenary meeting mayor Fiona Byrne, this attractively illustrated publi- there, I applaud the excellent conservation work that cation is available from local libraries for $20 (LGA has breathed new life into this fine local civic building. residents) and $25 (non residents). Richard Blair
VOLUME 28 NUMBER 5 NOVEMBER 2011 Anniversaries Letters from members
The Society congratulates: Dear Editor (Inner West Courier)
Sydney Hospital’s 200th: On 30 October 1811 Gov. ‘I was sad to hear that the 127-year-old Coptic Lachlan Macquarie laid the foundation stone for what Orthodox St Mary & St Mina Church in Sydenham was originally the Rum Hospital in Macquarie Street. is to be demolished. Apparently the Federal government granted the church to Marrickville Roseby Memorial (Marrickville Uniting) Church Council in 1996 for community use, but no commun- which celebrated its 140th anniversary on 16 October ity groups have been able to secure funding to repair with multicultural entertainment, music on the Jackson the building. It would be a real waste to lose this pipe organ (1880) and guest speaker, Rev Dr Brian building. Why not lease it to artists as working Brown, Moderator of the Uniting Church NSW/ACT. studios? This has been done with the Lennox Street David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz for sharing studios in Newtown, formerly a Catholic school. their passion for movies for the past 25 years in the Lennox Street is a successful & thriving community of Movie Show on SBS and At the Movies on ABC1. The over 30 artists and they regularly hold open days first Movie Show was screened on 30 October 1986. where the public can buy art and meet the artists. The
Marrickville Greens: 20 years on Marrickville Council, Coptic church, situated in an open park area, close to celebrated at Petersham Town Hall on 22 September. public transport, would be an ideal spot for this.’ Robynne Hayward * * * * Some memorabilia from the 1950s Note: DA to demolish this Church now before Council. MHS will lodge a submission.
* * * * Mick Timmings grew up in Marrickville and recently sent a letter enclosing a copy of his 1934 class photo at St Brigids School Marrickville. Whilst his school mem- ories are anything but fond, a thirst for learning was instilled. Mick’s final paragraph is quite inspiring:
Dear Editor (MHS) ‘So many fond memories are mine of Marrickville, and the society is doing so much to keep alive so much of the past for the present generation to have. There are a few members of my class that I can still This ALP How to Vote card dates from Marrickville remember. I remember the teacher Miss Kaneen and Municipal elections on 1 December 1956. For the record, it Sister Bernadette and I used to get the cane quite seems voters decided not to follow the card as according to frequently, and the strap continually at the Brothers Cashman & Meader ‘Marrickville: Rural outpost to inner at de la Salle College, part of the same school as city’ (1990, p. 211) neither Clem Perry nor Paul Terry were St Brigids. I can say I learned to read and write and elected, whilst Alexander Cunningham and Edward Quinn were. Cunningham was a councillor 1948-62 and 1965-71; from then on I have taught myself by reading. I hated Quinn 1953-59. Perry persevered and served as a school from the first day till the last day of the damn Marrickville councillor 1971-82, whilst Terry was never place, however since then I have had an unquenchable appetite to learn things. elected in Marrickville. (Card sent by Luke Atkins: it had belonged to Luke’s late father, Jack Atkins, former My dear wife of 62 years marriage also came from President, Waverley Historical Society and former Dulwich Hill and attended St Brigids. We will be secretary of Sydney Mechanics School of Arts) celebrating our 63rd wedding anniversary on the 6th November this year. Mate, do you know how a person can always remember a wedding anniversary? Just miss one. You will be surprised how many people I have come across from Marrickville that live in Ulladulla. It’s quite amazing.
I use my computer continually, I use Skype to talk to and see my daughter in Tasmania and I continually use U-tube and of course, good old Google to learn about things.’ Yours, Mick Timmings
Marrickville: a past worth preserving postal charges
Book is $35. Post, packaging and handling for Sydney is $10, NSW country and ACT $11; Vic. & Qld $13; SA MHS member John Chappell, who grew up in Petersham, $13.50; Tasmania $14.50; WA $15. Charge for more was awarded this Merit Certificate in 1958 in the Short than one copy, ring treasurer Diane (02) 9588 4930 or Story section of Marrickville’s Festival of Australian Youth preferably email
Saturday 26 November At the Council meeting of 18 October a report was Launch of Marrickville: a past worth preserving presented indicating that since Joint Regional Plan- Details on front page ning Panels started on 1 July 2009, 14 development applications have been lodged with Council requiring Saturday 3 December determination by a JRPP. Of these, 12 DAs had been Annual Christmas Pot Luck Dinner determined (ten approved and two withdrawn) Details below whilst two were pending. One of those withdrawn (former Marrickville RSL) had been resubmitted and Saturday 25 February later approved whilst the other withdrawal was 366- Show & Tell 372 New Canterbury Road/3 Herbert Street Dulwich Hill. The two pending are the Station Masters cottage at 117 Railway Road Sydenham and 43-45 Australia Well worth visiting the free multimedia exhibition Street Camperdown. All good news for developers! 50 Years of Four Corners ABC Atrium, Harris Street, Ultimo until 25 November In a significant change under the new state government’s ‘commitment to regulatory reform changes to “hand back“ certain matters to Councils, Marrickville Library events the threshold Capital Investment Value (CIV) triggering referral to the JRPP has been increased The exhibition, 150 Years of Marrickville Council from $10 million to $20 million for “private” develop- runs until 27 November. ments from 1 October 2011. The previous thresholds Tuesday 22 November 11 am: Author Jim Conway for Crown applications ($5 million) and Council discusses his recent book Newtown Then 1929-1939 applications ($5 million) are unaltered. The impact of (see June 2011 newsletter). the increase to the CIV will be to reduce the number
Wednesday 7 December 6.30 pm: Authors discuss of matters referred to the JRPP, so that more large their essays from Marrickville: a past worth preserving in scale applications submitted to Council will be determined by Council as the consent authority.’ conjunction with MHS (see front page). A good start in terms of returning decision-making on DAs to Councils! As reported in the last two newsletters, Marrickville Council is seeking community input relating to the new Marrickville Library. Council’s website has an A sunny day greeted the crowds for the Marrickville online survey that takes only minutes to complete. Festival on Sunday 23 October. At the Society’s stall Further public consultations will be held at: Marrick- we were asked questions about Jarvie Park, site of a ville Library, Friday 18 November, 10-10.30 am, dairy in Arthur Street, old Marrickville Town Hall Presentation of architects’ concept drawings and design and restoration of the Winged Victory. MHS publica- ideas; and at old Marrickville Hospital site on both tions, local walking tours and Pictorial History of Sunday 20 November 10-12 noon and Saturday Marrickville were the most popular sellers and a new 26 November 12-2 pm, New Marrickville Library member joined. Thanks to our helpers: Diane, Iain, consultation. RSVP 9335 2222. Ian, Lorraine, Nancy, Robert, Rosemary and Sonia.
MHS will also run a stall at the Dulwich Hill MHS overdue fee slips accompany newsletters this Community Fair on Sunday 4 December from 10 am. month if fees unpaid. Contact treasurer with queries. Diane McCarthy Contact details in box below.
Vale to Leslee Isted who died Annual Pot Luck Christmas Dinner on 31 October aged 96. Leslee had Saturday 3 December 6 for 6.30 pm been a MHS member since 1987 and regularly attended meetings Our annual pot luck Xmas dinner will for the first until moving from her house in time be held outside the LGA — in Earlwood. Excelsior Parade Marrickville to Due to limited space you’ll need to book early. Sydney’s southern suburbs about Ring Lorraine 9550 6608 (after hours) or email a decade ago. Photo shows Leslee
We also note the passing on 18 October of former PRESIDENT Sonia 9519 3137 member Neita Edgtton, 85, of Dulwich Hill. Neita TREASURER Diane 9588 4930 joined MHS in 1985. HERITAGE WATCH Robert 9568 3079 NEWSLETTER Richard 9557 3823
ISSN 0818 - 0695 [email protected] NOVEMBER 2011 Printed by the World of Print Shop 1/180-182 Broadway, Broadway 2007 9212 4144